Study Five
Study Five
Chapter Three - Greater Than Moses
Chapter Three - Greater Than Moses
Hebrews 3:1-19
Hebrews 3:1-19
Introduction: One of the great themes of Hebrews is the superiority of Jesus Christ. The
word “better” is one of several significant words found in the book. One of the ways that
Hebrews expresses the superiority of Jesus is by showing how He is better than others. The
book begins by showing that Jesus is better than the prophets. Then it shows how He is
better than the angels. Now in chapter 3 the book shows that He is better than Moses.
Introduction: One of the great themes of Hebrews is the superiority of Jesus Christ. The
word “better” is one of several significant words found in the book. One of the ways that
Hebrews expresses the superiority of Jesus is by showing how He is better than others. The
book begins by showing that Jesus is better than the prophets. Then it shows how He is
better than the angels. Now in chapter 3 the book shows that He is better than Moses.
To understand why it was important to show that Jesus was better than Moses, you must
understand how the Jewish people felt about Moses. He was revered as the greatest of all
Hebrews, and esteemed the greatest man of history. He had led the children of Israel out
of Egypt. By him the Law of God had been given to them. He was the writer of the
Pentateuch. To them, not a greater man had ever lived. Let’s consider the comparisons that
are given and see how Jesus is better than Moses.
To understand why it was important to show that Jesus was better than Moses, you must
understand how the Jewish people felt about Moses. He was revered as the greatest of all
Hebrews, and esteemed the greatest man of history. He had led the children of Israel out
of Egypt. By him the Law of God had been given to them. He was the writer of the
Pentateuch. To them, not a greater man had ever lived. Let’s consider the comparisons that
are given and see how Jesus is better than Moses.
1. Christ Is Greater in His _______PERSON_____ (Heb. 3:1-2)
1. Christ Is Greater in His __________________________ (Heb. 3:1-2)
That Christ is superior to Moses in His person is an obvious fact. Moses was a mere man,
called to be a prophet and leader, while Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Moses, as great as
he was, was but God’s servant. But on the other hand, Jesus was God’s Son.
That Christ is superior to Moses in His person is an obvious fact. Moses was a mere man,
called to be a prophet and leader, while Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Moses, as great as
he was, was but God’s servant. But on the other hand, Jesus was God’s Son.
Jesus Christ is the Apostle, but He is also the High Priest. In fact, Jesus Christ has the title
“great High Priest” (Heb. 4:14). As the Apostle, Jesus represented God to men; and as the
High Priest, He now represents men to God in heaven.
Jesus Christ is the Apostle, but He is also the High Priest. In fact, Jesus Christ has the title
“great High Priest” (Heb. 4:14). As the Apostle, Jesus represented God to men; and as the
High Priest, He now represents men to God in heaven.
2. Christ Is Greater in His ______MINISTRY____ (Heb. 3:3-6)
2. Christ Is Greater in His __________________________ (Heb. 3:3-6)
The word “house” is used six times here. It refers to the people of God, not to a material
building. Moses ministered to Israel, the people of God under the Old Covenant. Today,
Christ ministers to His church, the people of God under the New Covenant (“whose house
are we,” Heb. 3:6). The contrast between Moses and Christ is clear: Moses was a servant in
the house, while Jesus Christ is a Son over the house. Moses was a member of the
household, but Jesus built the house!
The word “house” is used six times here. It refers to the people of God, not to a material
building. Moses ministered to Israel, the people of God under the Old Covenant. Today,
Christ ministers to His church, the people of God under the New Covenant (“whose house
are we,” Heb. 3:6). The contrast between Moses and Christ is clear: Moses was a servant in
the house, while Jesus Christ is a Son over the house. Moses was a member of the
household, but Jesus built the house!
3. Christ Is Greater in the ____VICTORY___ He Gives (Heb. 3:7-19)
3. Christ Is Greater in the _________________ He Gives (Heb. 3:7-19)
This is the second of five warnings in Hebrews. In the first warning (Heb. 2:1-4), we saw the
danger of drifting because of neglect. Here we see the danger of doubting and disbelieving
the Word because of hardness of heart. It is important to understand the spiritual lessons
in the geography of Israel’s experiences. Egypt is a type of the world, the Wilderness
wanderings represents our experiences when we doubt God’s Word and live in restless
unbelief, and Canaan is a type of the Victorious Christian Life.
This is the second of five warnings in Hebrews. In the first warning (Heb. 2:1-4), we saw the
danger of drifting because of neglect. Here we see the danger of doubting and disbelieving
the Word because of hardness of heart. It is important to understand the spiritual lessons
in the geography of Israel’s experiences. Egypt is a type of the world, the Wilderness
wanderings represents our experiences when we doubt God’s Word and live in restless
unbelief, and Canaan is a type of the Victorious Christian Life.
There are, in ch. 3 and 4, three different rests, all of which are related in God’s plan:
There are, in ch. 3 and 4, three different rests, all of which are related in God’s plan:
(1) The Rest of Salvation (4:3, 10); symbolized by the Sabbath, when Creation activities
ceased. And that rest was God’s “Sabbath rest,” a rest still available, a rest of ceasing from
futile works in an effort to earn God’s favor.
(1) The Rest of Salvation (4:3, 10); symbolized by the Sabbath, when Creation activities
ceased. And that rest was God’s “Sabbath rest,” a rest still available, a rest of ceasing from
futile works in an effort to earn God’s favor.
(2) The Rest of Victory in the midst of trials, symbolized by Canaan (4:11); For the
Christian, there is the day-to-day rest of dependence upon God for living the Christian life.
(2) The Rest of Victory in the midst of trials, symbolized by Canaan (4:11); For the
Christian, there is the day-to-day rest of dependence upon God for living the Christian life.
(3) The Future Eternal Rest, our Heavenly rest (4:9). All believers will enjoy this, “There
remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). When we enter heaven, we will
share God’s great Sabbath rest, with all labors and battles ended (Rev. 14:13).
(3) The Future Eternal Rest, our Heavenly rest (4:9). All believers will enjoy this, “There
remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). When we enter heaven, we will
share God’s great Sabbath rest, with all labors and battles ended (Rev. 14:13).